LV. (1) HO, EVERY ONE THAT THIRSTETH... — The whole context shows that the water, the wine, the milk are all, symbols of spiritual blessings as distinctly as they are, _e.g.,_ in John 4:10; Matthew 26:29; 1 Peter 2:2. The Word “buy” is elsewhere confined to the purchase of corn, and would not right... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE DO YE SPEND MONEY... — Here again the “bread” is that which sustains the true life of the soul. “Labour”-stands for the “earnings of labour.” Israel had given her money for that which was “not-bread,” she is called to accept the true bread for that which is “not-money,” _scil.,_ as the nex... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE... — Better, _revive._ The idea is that of waking to a new life. I WILL MAKE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT... — The words find their explanation in the “new covenant” of Jeremiah 31:31; Luke 22:20, but those which follow show that it is thought of as the expansion and completion of t... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE GIVEN HIM... — Better, _I gave,_ the words referring primarily to the historic David (Comp. Psalms 78:70), though realised fully only in Him who was the “faithful and true witness” (John 18:37; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14), the “captain” or “leader” of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT CALL A NATION. — The calling of the Gentiles and the consequent expansion of the true idea of Israel is again dominant. The words sound like an echo from Psalms 18:43. BECAUSE OF THE LORD THY GOD... — The words are repeated, as expressing a thought on which the prophet loved to dwell, in... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND... — The appeal shows that the promised blessings are not unconditional. There may come a time (as in Matthew 25:11) when “too late will be written on all efforts to gain the inheritance which has been forfeited by neglect (2 Corinthians 6:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS... — The assertion refers to both the promise and the warning. Men think that the gifts of God can be purchased with money (Acts 8:20). They think that the market in which they are sold is always open, and that they can have them when and how they please (Matthew 25... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS THE RAIN COMETH DOWN... — The verse includes well-nigh every element of the parables of agriculture. The “rain” and the “dew” are the gracious influences that prepare the heart; the “seed” is the Divine word, the “sower” is the Servant of the Lord, _i.e.,_ the Son of Man (Matthew 13:37); the... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SHALL MY WORD BE... — The point of the comparison is that the predominance of fertility in the natural world, in spite of partial or apparent failures, is the pledge of a like triumph, in the long run, of the purposes of God for man’s good over man’s resistance. It does not exclude the partial, o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOUNTAINS AND THE HILLS... — Cheyne aptly compares — “Ipsi lætitia voces ad sidera jactant Intonsi montes.” VIRG., Æ_clog._ (The very hills, no more despoiled of trees, Shall to the stars break forth in minstrelsies.) The waving of the branches of the trees is, in the poet’s thoughts, what th... [ Continue Reading ]